Black Entrepreneurs Say System Rigged Against Them In Kansas City Nightlife

Numerous Black entrepreneurs are claiming that a governing body of an entertainment district in Kansas City, Missouri, intentionally obstructed their business operations, ultimately compelling them to cease operations or terminate lease agreements. Local media reports indicate that three Black-owned establishments are filing suit against the Westport Community Improvement District (CID) and its predominantly white board, alleging acts of racial discrimination and multiple civil rights infringements. The historic Westport area possesses a lively nightlife, yet out of 251 business owners, very few are Black, as stated in the lawsuit. The plaintiffs assert that the CID employed tactics that rendered it “nearly impossible” for Black business owners to thrive in the district. For instance, Robert Thorpe, who owned The Sourze, faced alleged racial stereotyping which impeded his expansion efforts, while Christopher Lee encountered lease termination pressures after promoting his restaurant, Euphoric, through African American channels. Moreover, the suit reveals unsettling comments from CID members regarding potential violence stemming from Black patrons, highlighting a deep-seated bias rooted in unsubstantiated assumptions that must be addressed.